Questions to Ask a Mold Inspector Before You Book

A short phone call can tell you a lot about how a mold inspection will be run and what you’ll get at the end. Use this checklist to compare any inspector in Las Vegas, including us.

1. “Do you also sell mold remediation?”

This is the first question for a reason. A company that both finds mold and gets paid to remove it has a built-in conflict of interest. That doesn’t mean every company offering both services acts in bad faith. It does mean the scope of the problem and the scope of the job are judged by the same party. Ask directly whether the company, or any company it’s affiliated with or gets referral fees from, would perform the cleanup. If you later hire a remediator, a separate inspector can also check the work afterward. See choosing a mold remediation contractor.

2. “What does the inspection include?”

A mold inspection should focus on mold and moisture. It isn’t a general home inspection of the structure or its mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Ask what will actually happen on site:

• Visual assessment. Which rooms and areas are included? Is the attic or crawlspace included where accessible? What about the air handler closet and under sinks?
• Moisture readings. Will they use a moisture meter on suspect materials? Moisture is what drives mold growth. EPA puts it simply: “the key to mold control is moisture control.”
• Thermal imaging. If an infrared camera is used, ask how its findings are confirmed. A thermal image shows surface temperature differences, not water or mold, so suspect spots should be checked with a moisture meter.
• Humidity readings, and whether they’ll look for condensation on AC ducts, registers, and lines. See indoor humidity in Las Vegas homes.
• Limits. Will they open walls or move furniture? What’s excluded?

3. “Will you take samples, and why?”

Sampling isn’t always needed. EPA says that “in most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is unnecessary,” and the CDC doesn’t recommend routine mold testing, partly because there are no standards for an acceptable amount of mold. Sampling can still help answer specific questions, such as whether airborne spore types indoors differ from outdoors, what a stain is, or whether an area was adequately cleaned. EPA also notes that surface sampling may be useful to determine whether an area “has been adequately cleaned or remediated.”

Good follow-up questions:

• What question will each sample answer?
• For air samples, will you take an outdoor baseline for comparison?
• How many samples do you expect, and is the price flat or per sample?
• Will you recommend sampling even if there’s visible growth? If so, why?

An inspector who explains why each sample is being taken is usually a better sign than one who pushes for as many samples as possible. For the main methods, see mold testing methods.

4. “Which lab analyzes the samples, and is it accredited?”

EPA says sampling should be done by professionals experienced in designing sampling protocols and interpreting results, and that analysis should follow methods recommended by organizations such as the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs runs the Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP) for labs that analyze microorganisms in air (such as spore traps), surface (tape lifts, swabs, wipes), and bulk samples. Labs in the program must take part in approved proficiency testing and keep written procedures covering sample collection, transport, analysis, and retention.

Ask the name of the lab and whether it’s accredited under EMLAP specifically. You can check that yourself using AIHA LAP’s online directory of accredited labs.

5. “How do you handle chain of custody?”

A chain-of-custody form records who collected each sample, when and where, and who handled it until the lab received it. Ask whether you’ll get a copy, and whether sample IDs in the lab report match the locations in the inspector’s report. This matters more if the report may be used in a sale, a lease dispute, or an insurance claim.

6. “Can I see a sample report?”

A sample report shows exactly what you’re paying for. Look for dated photos, room-by-room observations, moisture readings with locations, a clear explanation of any lab results, and specific recommendations, including where moisture needs to be fixed. Compare with our sample report, and see how to read a mold lab report.

7. “How long until I get the report?”

Ask when the written report is delivered and whether that timing includes lab results. A verbal summary on the day is useful, but the written report is the record.

8. “What insurance do you carry?”

Ask what coverage the company carries and whether it can provide a certificate of insurance. Landlords, HOAs, and property managers often require one before a vendor enters a property.

9. “What credentials do you hold, and how can I verify them?”

We haven’t found a Nevada state license specific to mold inspection. That doesn’t mean no licensing rules apply to a given business or activity. If an inspector says they hold a Nevada license or certificate, ask for the number and look it up with the agency that issued it.

Many inspectors hold private credentials from training organizations or industry groups. These vary widely. Some require documented field experience, a proctored exam, and continuing education. Others require only a short course. A credential is most meaningful when you know:

• Which organization issued it, and whether that organization is independent of the company selling the training.
• What was required to earn it (experience, exam, education).
• Whether it’s current, and whether the issuer offers a public way to verify it.

10. “What won’t the report do?”

A trustworthy inspector will be upfront about the limits:

• No “mold-free” certificate. Mold spores are a normal part of indoor and outdoor air, and EPA notes that no federal limits have been set for mold or mold spores. A report describes the conditions found on that date.
• No medical diagnosis. An inspector can’t tell you whether mold caused anyone’s symptoms. The CDC advises people with persistent symptoms to see their physician.
• No hidden-area guarantee. Without opening walls, some conditions can’t be seen.

Red flags

• Pressure to book remediation on the spot, or a remediation quote before any findings are explained.
• Sample results described as “toxic” or “dangerous” with no explanation of what was measured.
• Many samples taken with no clear reason, or no outdoor comparison for air samples.
• They won’t name the lab or show a sample report.
• Promises of a “clean bill of health” or a “mold-free” certificate.
• Pricing that is vague until after the visit.

How Vegas Mold Pro answers a few of these

• Credentials: Charles W. Baxter holds the PMII-issued Certified Residential Mold Inspector (CRMI) certification (certificate no. CRMI0000051412, awarded June 24, 2026). It is a private professional certification, not a Nevada state license. Details are on our About page.
• Remediation: We don’t do it. Vegas Mold Pro is an independent company, owned by Charles Baxter, that does inspection and testing only.
• Lab: Samples are analyzed by an independent AIHA-accredited laboratory.
• Report timing: Written reports are typically delivered within 24 hours.
• Pricing and scheduling: Flat pricing is quoted before you book, and same-day appointments are often available.

Ask us any other question on this list when you call. For more, see our process and the mold FAQ.

Sources

• A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home — U.S. EPA
• About Mold and Your Health — CDC
• Facts About Stachybotrys chartarum — CDC
• Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Accreditation Program (EMLAP) — AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs
• EMLAP Program Requirements — AIHA Laboratory Accreditation Programs